(Worth Avenue)
Overview:
Palm Beach is like that affluent relative who’s from out east, wears knit sweaters during the fall and flamboyant pastels during the spring. She has a worldly outlook on life, a witty sense of humor, and an elegance that's unmatched. A snowbird who flocked down south to Florida, she now sells high-end real estate during the week. While on her days off, she spends sipping on cocktails after a couple of rounds of tennis at the country club. Her social life is dominated by dinner parties and charity events where Palm Beach’s elite and socialites converge on one island. This may not be the best description of the Palm Beach of today, however, this is how I sometimes view Miami’s aristocratic sister to the north. So this begs the question, what is the identity of Palm Beach today? Is this island paradise still an old-world refuge for the glamorous or is there something for everyone beyond the exclusivity?
Where to Dine:
Ta-boo - Old World, 1940s Bistro
Sant Ambroeus - New York Classic, Italian Brasserie
Restoration Hardware - Contemporary American, Beautiful Rooftop
Buccan - High End, Upbeat, Inviting Atmosphere
Renato’s - Relaxing Patio, Italian
Where to Stay:
The Breakers - Famous Hotel, Waterfront, Palm Beach Institution
The Colony - Pastel Structure, Old Palm Beach Glamour
The Brazilian Court Hotel - Luxury, Home-like Accommodation
Where to Play:
Worth Avenue - Luxury Stores, People Watching
The Flagler Museum - Iconic Floridian Home, Museum
Rosemary Square - Outdoor Mall, West Palm Beach
(Restoration Hardware)
Blog:
Situated 70 miles north of Miami, Palm Beach is an island and exclusive community of affluent Floridians and snowbirds who live, dine and socialize in one of the most sought after zip codes in the United States. Visionary Henry Flagler, the Standard Oil tycoon arrived in the 1890s to a palm-tree filled paradise he predicted would one day become a wintertime haven for himself and other affluent businessmen and their families. His vision was no ordinary pipedream, but rather the inception of building the Palm Beach we know today. Excited at the idea of building this new community for friends and colleagues, Flagler set his sights on building the Florida East Coast Railway, a revolutionary form of transport connecting the state of Florida to the East Coast of the United States. After establishing a means of transport, Flagler realized he needed to build accommodations for his colleagues and friends, which is how the iconic Breakers Hotel came to be. Following this interest in Palm Beach, architects were hired to design and construct vacation residences. The architectural style of many homes in Palm Beach was heavily inspired by the aesthetics found in the Meditteranean to mimic an aged-look. Henry Flagler’s real-life game of Monopoly, building homes and hotels in the new American Riviera was ahead of its time, but it begs to ask where is Palm Beach over a century later? Is this affluent community still exclusive to the middle class or has this city seen a new age where all are welcome to partake in Palm Beach’s fruits?
(Restoration Hardware)
Growing up in Miami, finding an excuse to travel up north for lunch and a quick day-trip was never an issue for my family. The drive from Coral Gables to the heart of Palm Beach is only a mere 90 minutes where you are transported from the bustle of Miami to old-world Florida. Arriving on the island of Palm Beach is like entering a pastel-colored playground where residential streets are lined with manicured hedges and the downtown core is filled with local socialites drinking and shopping up and down Worth Avenue. Worth Avenue was created as a miniature Madison Avenue or Rodeo Drive showcasing the latest high-end fashions and brightest diamonds for the seasonal crowd who flocks to town during the winter. Hermès, Loro Piana, & Graff all have outposts here. Up and down Worth Avenue are some of the best restaurants in town including Ta-boo, Cafe Via Flora, and my favorite, Renato’s. Located in one of the Italian-inspired piazzas off of the main thoroughfare, Renato’s sits quietly in a gorgeous outdoor patio where bottles of prosecco are popped and exquisite pasta is savored. The usual lunch scene at Renato's is a romantic one where one is transported to small-town Italy and the only concern to have is which bottle of wine to order. Similar to Renato’s, establishments like Buccan and Ta-boo find themselves catering to the who’s who of Palm Beach society mixed in with the usual suspects visiting.
Just across the bay from the pastel-colored, Lilly Pulitzer candy land of Palm Beach is the city’s busier other half, West Palm Beach. For outsiders not too familiar with the layout or personalities of these two sisters, let’s say if Palm Beach is ritzy and relaxed, West Palm Beach is bustling and more casual. Tall buildings and marinas dominate the West Palm skyline, a sheer contrast to posh Palm Beach. Areas like City Place and Rosemary Square are the beating hearts of the downtown scene. The stores and restaurants here take nods from Palm Beach’s affinity for all things Meditteranean, however, they appear to be more democratic in terms of options. One of the shining jewels of West Palm and a big draw for locals and visitors alike is Restoration Hardware. One might question how a furniture store has great relevance beyond dining tables and bathroom fixtures? In most cases this question would be more than valid, however, the four-story Restoration Hardware flagship store in West Palm Beach exceeds the norm in both design and cuisine. The rooftop restaurant boasting an indoor courtyard and balcony seating offers patrons a luxurious dining experience in a cozy, home-like ambiance. My gold star from their menu has to go the perfectly crafted lobster roll. West Palm is a growing city bringing new, dynamic dining and shopping experiences that contrast from the old world across the bay. Just immediately outside of the downtown core of West Palm is a culinary destination that is still very high up on my list of places to visit, Grandview Public Market. Showcasing 12 vendors highlighting uniquely diverse menus, Grandview brings the spirit of South Florida under one roof. Cuban, Ramen, or Vegan, they have a little of everything in this sleek, modern-Floridian food hall.
(Royal Poinciana Plaza)
Palm Beach or West Palm Beach? That’s the million-dollar question. Is one better than the other? Does one provide better dining or shopping experiences? Is West Palm Beach the modern-day answer to the American aristocracy across the bay? Does the Palm Beach, frequented by social dynasties like the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, and Mortimers still retain its old-world charm? However partial some might feel in their perspectives of this tale of two cities, I appreciate both for what they bring to the people of this section of South Florida. As Palm Beach in its entirety enters the 21st century, Henry Flagler’s legacy is revived with a new, high-speed train linking West Palm, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami appropriately titled, the Brightline. Whether Palm Beach is still America’s Riviera for the wealthy or a destination to all is a question waiting to be answered by each person who visits next.
(Palm Beach)
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